» Institutional Technology Services » Computer Use Policy

The computer facilities at Gwynedd-Mercy College are provided to assist students, faculty, administration and staff in the pursuit, collection, and presentation of academic information. Because these computer facilities are the property of Gwynedd-Mercy College, their operation by individuals associated with the College should be in terms of the mission and values of the institution. The following types of behavior are prohibited:

Violations (prohibited behavior)
1. Engaging in conduct that obstructs or disrupts institutional activities and the individual pursuit of learning. In terms of E-Mail, this specifically means intentionally reading, or attempting to read, other people's E-Mail without their authorization. In terms of the Internet, this specifically means intentionally trying to gain access to a system for which you are not authorized; or having gained access, inflicting damage (including but not limited to altering records or sabotage) on the system, and/or degrading its performance (through any mechanism).

2. Taking any intentional action which causes interference to the network, the work of others or any computer on Gwynedd-Mercy College's Local Area Network or the Internet.

3. Using the Network in "for-profit" activities, unless such activities are directly related to Gwynedd-Mercy College employment or College course work. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by either the President, Executive Director of Institutional Technology Services, or the Vice President for Academic Affairs, upon written request. Portions of the Internet (such as the NSFNet backbone) define "acceptable uses" to specifically prohibit advertising and "for-profit" activities. These prohibitions will apply to "broadcast" communications (such as E-Mail responses to List-Servers, Newsgroups, etc.).

4. Involvement in violation of or conviction of violation of federal, state, or local regulations having to do with computers, communication, interstate commerce, and/or security regulations. This also applies to violation of federal copyright, trade secret, and related laws.

5. The intentional creation or dissemination of a computer virus, tapeworm, Trojan horse, or other similar program, or dissemination of a communication under the name of an account for which you do not have permission.

6. Threat, harassment (including but not limited to sexual harassment), or libel towards any student, employee, guest, or remote computer user in an E-Mail message, File Transfer, or other communication. Note: Instances of harassment by e-mail which involve malicious intent toward the race, color, creed, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability of any other person shall constitute verbal harassment which may violate the mission of the College and the College code of conduct.

7. Sending sexually oriented E-mail messages or sending or receiving sexually oriented images or file transfers other than those with legitimate academic purpose.

Additional Policy Statements
1. The computer systems, computer hardware, computer software, communications equipment, and information contained within are the property of Gwynedd-Mercy College.

2. Privacy cannot be guaranteed because:

a. The Internet is NOT secure.

b. The College may be required to comply with a lawful order to provide information, and this can include e-mail and/or other communications.

c. Routine system administration, including network supervision, administration, and monitoring, may divulge information. Additionally, the College may, but is not required to, back-up data. Therefore, even deleted information may be accessible.

d. If you forget to logout from the network, your communication may be available to the next person to use the PC. In fact, they could send messages in your name (although this would be a violation per #5 above).

Students violating this policy will be subject to the procedures summarized in the "Implementing the Code of Conduct" section of the Student Handbook and sanctions may include loss of computing privileges. Employees violating this policy will be subject to the corrective action policies as stipulated in their respective Employment Handbook.